How to make your property stand out from the crowd

September is a traditionally busy time for the housing market, with many would-be sellers having waited until the schools were back – along with all the potential buyers – before putting their property on the market.

An early autumn sale holds the added appeal of everything potentially being done and dusted by Christmas – and with so much competition, buyers want to go all out to secure a speedy sale.

Kevin Shaw, national sales director at property specialist Leaders, has identified three ways homeowners can present their property to stand out from the crowd this autumn:

1) Ask for a second opinion

Homeowners are rarely the best judge of where a property requires improvement. After several years of living in a house, people can be blind to the potential pitfalls that will be noticed by a fresh pair of eyes. A good estate agent will be able to advise a seller on the areas in need of attention, while it can also be a good idea to invite a friend or relative to offer an impartial assessment of a property from a buyer’s perspective.

2) Speculate to accumulate

While this is not the time for high-cost home improvements, investing a small amount of money in sprucing up some of the more unsightly aspects of a property can work wonders. Repainting the garden fence, touching up the paintwork and having the carpets cleaned are relatively cheap, but can have a huge impact on a home. First impressions count for a lot so be prepared to pay out to make a house more attractive.

3) Think about photography

Many property searches start online, yet some homeowners still fail to prepare a photogenic scene in many of their rooms. A good estate agents can arrange for a professional photographer to capture shots that are sure to impress online viewers, but they rely on a home being bright, clean and free of clutter. Avoid overflowing waste bins, toilet rolls stacked up in the bathroom, piles of clothes on the floor or cars parked in the driveway that obscure snaps of the ground floor.

Kevin adds: “Following these simple and cost-effective tips will allow homeowners to present a property that grabs the eye of viewers and is snapped up quickly by a quality buyer.”

For more information on putting a property on the market or preparing a home for sale, contact the St Albans branch of Leaders on 01727 862999, or visit www.leaders.co.uk.

When it comes to commercial property, what does central St Albans really need? Retail fans have been lobbying for a John Lewis or a Primark for many a long while, but what we keep getting is coffee shops, more coffee shops and, occasionally, a restaurant. Oh, apart from now we’re also getting a gym.